Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 47 The Inheritance of a Spiritual Root Gu Master (4.4 thousand words)
Upon hearing this, Fang Shu asked in a deep voice, "Master, what makes you say that?"

The owner of the inn noticed the burning passion in Fang Shuming's eyes, yet his expression remained remarkably calm. Her smile deepened, and instead of answering directly, she said:
"In your opinion, how many people in this institution can be considered geniuses or those with profound knowledge?"

Without needing Fang Shu's reply, the old woman muttered to herself:
"Only two and a half."

Qin Min possesses spiritual roots and an extraordinary physique, coupled with a ruthless streak, making her a true expert. Yu'er has followed me in learning the Dao since childhood, understands pharmacology, and has my care, making her a half-expert.

And you, who were able to comprehend both my insect-based cultivation technique and the lead-based cultivation technique of the Burning Tail Pavilion within three months, combining the two techniques to successfully complete the tribulation of the pit of scorpions, though you are of mortal origin and seed, possess some comprehension and considerable resilience, naturally qualify as one as well.”

Fang Shu remained silent, lost in thought.

Seeing this, the owner of the inn smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"Master has discerning eyes!" Fang Shu praised, bowing with his hands clasped.

He paused, then noticed something amiss and spoke up:
"This disciple is somewhat clever, but compared to Junior Sister Qin Min's attainment of Dao in two months, I am more than three times inferior. Why did Master say that this disciple can study the nine disciplines of immortal studies, but Junior Sister Qin Min cannot?"

The owner of the private club sighed softly upon hearing this:

"Don't underestimate yourself. Although your cultivation speed is not as fast as Qin Min's, your achievements tomorrow may not be worse than Qin Min's."

More importantly, you have successfully completed the Scorpion Pit Ritual, and the medicine and poison in your body are now combined, giving you the ability to resist all insects. All the snakes, insects, and poisonous creatures in this abode are food for you.

Your precious blood can even be used to transform poisonous insects, its effect being more than three times greater than that of others who barely survived the pit of scorpions. Furthermore, given your decent comprehension, if you diligently study Gu refining and learn the secret texts during the Essence Refining stage, you might very well become a Gu Master during that stage.

Fang Shu chewed aloud: "Gu Master?"

“That’s right, a Gu Master.”

The owner of the private hall said in a deep voice: "Those who can truly delve into the nine disciplines of immortal studies each have their own titles: alchemist, talisman master, weapon maker, array master, mage, spellcaster, martial artist, swordsman... and so on, ever-changing, all based on the nine disciplines."

Her eyes shone brightly: "A Gu Master is someone who is born from the Gu and Suppression Technique. They can refine Gu worms and use them to control magic and refine techniques. Gu worms can be large or small, can rise or hide, can be external or internal, and their life and death are mysterious and strange. It is also a renowned skill for protecting the Dao."

Upon hearing this description, Fang Shu's heart skipped a beat.

Although the Gu Master and Gu worms are relatively rare compared to the common Talisman Masters and Alchemists in the market, and seem like unorthodox practices, he has already entered the Solitary Gu Hall, so why would he care about such things?

Moreover, Gu Masters are also derived from one of the orthodox immortal disciplines, which means that they also have the prospect of immortality!
He couldn't help but ask:
"Then may I ask, Master, how can one become a Gu Master?"

The owner of the private residence smiled slightly again at this moment:
"It's simple. If you can refine Qi-refining spirit gu at the Refining Essence Immortal stage, you will become a Gu Master."

When you enter the Immortal Sect, everyone will have to beg the sect's disciples to take you in as a disciple or slave, or exchange their bodies or lives for the opportunity to cultivate Qi.

As for you, you can directly trade with them using your skills or Gu insects. As long as not everyone in the Immortal Sect is blind, your chances of joining the Immortal Sect are exceptionally high.

Moreover, with the assistance of the Gu worms, you can cultivate your spiritual root independently in the future, without relying on others. This greatly increases your chances of breaking through to the Qi Refining stage compared to ordinary people.

Upon hearing these explanations, Fang Shu's mind wandered even further, especially the phrase "planting a spiritual root" mentioned by the other party.

He tentatively asked with anticipation, "Master, what does 'planting spiritual roots' mean?"

Before he could finish speaking, the owner of the pavilion nodded: "That's right, it is the spiritual root you were thinking of."

The other party calmly replied:
"As the study of immortality has developed to this point, severed limbs can be repaired, internal organs can be replaced, and blood vessels can be transplanted."

While spiritual roots are quite mysterious, involving not only the physical body but also the soul, there are methods to cultivate them. Moreover, the key to breaking through the Qi Refining stage and advancing to become a Qi Refining Immortal lies in cultivating spiritual roots.

Those without spiritual roots cannot sense the heavens and earth, nor can they cultivate true qi.

Because of this, those born with spiritual roots not only cultivate rapidly, but also face virtually no obstacles when breaking through to the Qi Refining stage, possessing spiritual roots without needing to cultivate them.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu's eyes lit up with envy.

"Don't get too excited yet."

But the owner of the inn glanced at him and said indifferently:

The spiritual root obtained by cultivating spiritual roots is an acquired spiritual root, called a "secondary spiritual root", and even contemptuously referred to as a "pseudo-spiritual root".

This kind of spiritual root is still below the lower-grade level. It can only ensure that you can stably communicate with heaven and earth and enter the Qi Refining realm, but it cannot increase your cultivation efficiency much.

Fang Shu's gaze froze, and he tentatively asked again:

"Master, since spiritual roots can be cultivated, can these acquired spiritual roots be further improved and strengthened in the future? Even if they don't become top-grade, can they just become middle or lower-grade?"

The owner of the guesthouse gave a strange smile and nodded:

"Of course it is possible. Not to mention the three grades, even the spiritual roots of heaven and earth are acceptable."

However, the spiritual roots one is born with are all innate, coming from the womb. To reverse this fate and transform the acquired into the innate is no less difficult than possessing another body without injury; it is a true immortal's method.

Only a true immortal could barely manage this. Remember, it was only a "barely."

This answer made Fang Shu freeze.

He knew about the True Immortal.

It refers to the Golden Immortal who has formed his own Golden Core, not a pseudo-Golden Immortal who has formed a fake Golden Core but possesses magical power without any real realm.

The three calamities and six tribulations of immortals, between the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation stages, represent a true watershed between immortals and mortals.

The first three trials yielded an "immortal" title, but it actually leans more towards the human realm, making one an immortal being, a person from the mountains.

The attainment of the last three tribulations is true transcendence of the mortal world. One's destiny is in one's own hands, not in the hands of heaven. One's body can transform into a mountain. One is a true immortal and has attained the title of "true"!

Even such a person could only barely cultivate acquired spiritual roots, so for Fang Shu, a mere beginner in the Refining Essence stage, it would be more difficult than ascending to heaven, and there was no need to even consider it.

In particular, Fang Shu remembered that the host had mentioned this during the sermon just now.

The most useful thing about spiritual roots is during the first three difficult stages of cultivation, while the latter three difficulties mainly involve comprehension, accumulation, and opportunity.

In other words, when spiritual roots are needed, the immortals have no means to enhance them; only when they no longer need them do they have the means to enhance them.

Letting out a long breath, Fang Shu put aside his distracting thoughts, cupped his hands, and said:
"Disciple understands."

Seeing his gloomy expression, the owner of the guesthouse offered words of comfort:

"Among the vast majority of living beings in the world, those without spiritual roots are the majority. To be able to cultivate an acquired spiritual root to help us step into the Qi Refining Realm is already a remarkable achievement in the current world of immortal cultivation."

"If this were in the distant past, we would be born without it, and we would die without it. Without spiritual roots, we are unworthy to cultivate immortality. Be content, be content."

Fang Shu remained calm and cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, disciple will humbly accept your instruction."

Seeing that he looked alright, the owner of the inn secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Immediately, the old woman's smile returned, and she suddenly pointed to the book that Fang Shu was carefully holding in his hand, saying:
"Although acquired spiritual roots are only planted in the physical body, their cultivation efficiency is limited due to the separation between the spirit and the body. However, different spiritual roots have different uses, and they can refine different kinds of true qi, which are related to the strength and wonders of true qi."

More importantly, it can be linked to the nine disciplines of immortal studies.

The owner of the private club said with a smile:
"Your spiritual root efficiency has a limit, but there is no limit to learning. You can also explore other aspects to promote cultivation and increase the chances of breaking through barriers."

For example, consuming elixirs; for example, searching for treasure lands and constructing formations; and for example—this Gu technique.

Fang Shu's gaze shifted, immediately landing on the thin, almost translucent pages of the book in his hands. The librarian said reservedly:

"This book is a partial Gu Master inheritance that I compiled when I was cultivating in the Immortal Sect. It contains the refining methods for three types of Gu worms: Sleepy Worm, Follower Worm, and Breath-Holding Worm. Each of them can be refined into a Three Tribulation Gu Worm at its highest level."

In addition, there are secret recipes for refining soy sauce worms, vinegar worms, tea worms, rice worms, oil worms, salt worms, and firewood worms—ten kinds of low-grade Gu worms in total. It can be said to be the culmination of my life's work.

This thin book actually contains the methods for refining ten kinds of Gu worms, and three of them are Gu recipes that can refine the Three Tribulations Gu worm!

Fang Shu held the book tightly, worried for a moment that he might crush it.

The owner of the guesthouse noticed the change in his expression and chuckled softly.
"The other half is the formula for the four types of Gu: Sleepy Bug, Follower Bug, and Breath-Holding Bug. The reason I'm not giving it to you now is because the method of refining Qi Gu is quite different from that of refining Essence Gu. If I give it to you in advance, I'm afraid you'll become attached to it and fall into the trap of perception."

Once you've successfully refined any of the Three Tribulations Gu Worms, you can come to me anytime and take the remaining half.

Seeing the owner's generosity, Fang Shu hesitated for a moment, and subconsciously asked:

"My master gave me this Gu Master inheritance just like that?"

The owner of the private club said irritably:

"It's already in your hands, why ask that question?"

*Smack!*

Fang Shu immediately bowed deeply to the other party:
"Thank you, Master, for transmitting the Dharma. I will always remember this kindness!"

There was no need for the museum owner to explain further; Fang Shu had long understood the immense value of the inheritance of local craftsmanship.

Not to mention that this level of skill is so advanced, it even allows one to refine Qi Refining Spirit Gu in one go.

Even those who were not considered high-class, he had seen in the market such as talisman masters and alchemists, who, by passing down a craft, not only lived a life of luxury but also settled down in the market, had many wives and concubines... all of which were within their grasp.

Moreover, the inheritance given by the master of the pavilion was obtained by the other party from the immortal sect. Just by hearing the names of those Gu worms, one can tell that it has its own system, which is incomparable to the scattered inheritances on the market.

Such a lineage is something that even if Fang Shu really entered the Immortal Sect, he probably wouldn't be able to obtain in a short time.

The owner of the manor stood calmly in the secret room, accepting Fang Shu's grand gesture, and then explained:

"Now that I've given you this book of Gu poison, it's yours to read as you please until you learn it. However, since you don't have a storage bag right now, it's best to remember to give it to Master Python for safekeeping when you leave the dojo."

"I'll talk to it later. From now on, you can just hide the Gu book inside its belly, and when you need it, just make it spit it out for you."

Fang Shu responded loudly:

"Yes, Master! This disciple will definitely study Gu techniques diligently and not waste Master's efforts."

Seeing Fang Shu's cooperative attitude and his fervent expression of loyalty, the Master of the Pavilion narrowed his eyes and began to ponder.

She paced around the quiet room, then sighed softly and said to Fang Shujiao:

"It's just an inanimate object. It's a waste to leave it there. Passing it on to you is the same as passing it on to two people."

Since you have achieved so much, this is what you deserve. However, as your teacher, I am now giving you everything I can, just to save up for you.

These extremely sincere words, ironically, made Fang Shuhuan feel a little uneasy.

Although he and the Master of the Pavilion had become master and apprentice, and Fang Shu was confident in his own abilities, the Master of the Pavilion's words were the kind of things he would only tell his own grandson, or even just before his death.

Fang Shu's gaze towards the owner of the inn was filled with worry, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Of course, he also harbored a hidden sense of wariness.

The owner of the villa was a shrewd old woman. As soon as she saw Fang Shu's worried expression, she knew that Fang Shu was probably just making wild guesses.

"You little bastard! What are you thinking!"

The old woman muttered a curse under her breath, then explained:

"I won't hide it from you anymore. The reason I'm passing on the Gu technique to you all at once today is not only because you've cultivated Gu blood, but also because I'm afraid I'll be indebted to you."

Besides the master craftsmen you've seen, there's also a Bee Master in this establishment. The Bee Master can refine royal jelly, a precious medicine that can enhance one's physical constitution.

Upon hearing the words "improve one's physical constitution," Fang Shu immediately straightened up.

"Alas, Qin Min entered the inner courtyard before you, and her innate talent is inferior to yours. She needs royal jelly to improve her innate talent and make up for the deficiencies in her childhood."

In the past two years, the royal jelly that Bee Master was able to produce could only be used by her.

Furthermore, after two years of brewing, it needs another three years of rest before the beekeeper can start brewing again, lest it damage its vitality. Even setting aside the total of five years, you probably can't afford to wait even two.

The owner of the private residence looked at Fang Shu and exhaled:

"So, Shu'er, you're too late."

The tiny bit of expectation in Fang Shu's heart vanished before it could even rise.

A look of sadness crossed his face, and he immediately understood the owner's intention to compensate him.

Since the other party couldn't provide him with royal jelly, they decided to compensate him through inheritance. That's why they promised him the entire Gu Master inheritance as soon as he entered the sect.

As for the difference between precious medicine and traditional inheritance, it is difficult to say which is superior in terms of value and rarity.

Fang Shu said in a deep voice:

"Disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master. What's missed is missed. Disciple will not harbor any improper thoughts, lest it damage the relationship between the sect."

The owner of the private club originally wanted to explain a few more words, or even say a few harsh words, in order to completely dispel any unrealistic expectations that Fang Shu might have.

As a result, Fang Shu said these words on his own, which made her hesitate and then stop, and a look of relief appeared in her eyes.

"Not bad, not bad, you and Qin Min are both talented people."

I fear that any hesitation or indecisiveness might cause discord between you two. What you deserve, I will give you both; what you shouldn't have, you two must not contend for.

The owner of the guesthouse sighed and said, "Your insight is truly remarkable."

After reassuring Fang Shu for a few moments, the other party carefully explained some key points about cultivating Gu techniques, especially how to balance magic and Gu techniques.

"During the Refinement stage, studying too many spells will only deplete your energy and blood. This Gu book is enough for you to study, and you already have the Long Tongue Sword at your disposal, so don't let other spells dazzle you, waste your energy, and delay your cultivation."

The owner of the private residence carefully advised: "Remember, your physical constitution is quite ordinary. You must not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small things and delay the accumulation of your vital energy."

Cultivation is the foundation!

Fang Shu, assuming that the other party had a Daoist talisman and other ideas, simply said in a deep voice, "This disciple understands."

After a few more words, the owner of the pavilion signaled that Fang Shu could leave.

But just as he was about to leave, Fang Shu's eyes flickered.

He suddenly turned around and bowed to the owner of the guesthouse:
"Master, I have something to report..."

(End of this chapter)